The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1081 - 246: Are They Dead?

Chapter 1081: Chapter 246: Are They Dead?

Pei Yuan frowned upon hearing that the daughter of the Zheng family had moved in with Xie Yi. Could it be that the Zheng family, such a morally degenerate family, had grown close to Xie Yi? Was it that she herself did not wish to leave the General Mansion to go to the Zheng family, or did the Zheng family not wish to take them in?

Madam Zhao also had her doubts, but what she doubted was another possibility. She let Pei Yuan take a look at the situation first.

With no way to find Pei Wendong, Xie Yi had no choice but to straighten herself up and go find Pei Yuan, hoping to find a chance to talk with Pei Yuan alone. It was rare for her to see people.

Zheng Yuehan followed closely behind her, even waiting outside while she went to the toilet—clearly keeping a close eye on her. Hearing that she was going to visit Pei Yuan, Zheng Yuehan immediately followed as well, "Since Lady Mo is ill, only her sister is managing things here in the General Mansion. I might as well go and meet her with you!"

Xie Yi had no choice but to accompany her.

Just as Pei Yuan was about to go check, she saw them coming and received them in the room.

Seeing Zheng Yuehan looking around her, she appeared to be a gentle and delicate-looking girl. Her mother had said that Pei Qin was not a stunning beauty, which made her feel even more assured. Smiling, she stepped forward to greet Xie Yi together with her.

"Is this your cousin?" Pei Yuan spoke to Xie Yi.

"She is my cousin, the youngest daughter of Zheng’s Second Concubine, Zheng Yuehan," Xie Yi introduced.

Zheng Yuehan took the initiative to say, "My mother saw my cousin was alone at home every day, so she came to keep her company for a few days. We originally wanted to visit the lady, but the steward at the gate said the lady wasn’t well and wouldn’t see visitors. I wonder how the lady is feeling now?"

Madam Zhao looked at her concerned face, which seemed sincere, but the elaborate make-up on her face and body was carefully done, suitable even for attending a banquet. Furthermore, she had come to stay at the General Mansion so extravagantly right after the mourning period for the late emperor had ended. Smiling, she praised, "Miss Zheng is really pretty. Have you been betrothed? I wonder which family will have the good fortune!"

Zheng Yuehan almost said she hadn’t, but remembering she was already betrothed, anyone could find out with a little inquiry. She was somewhat dissatisfied with this engagement, hoping to break it off as soon as she returned home. Blushing slightly, she said, "I’ve already been promised to someone."

Already betrothed, yet coming here so dressed up, and the Zheng family had also twice pressed the matter of an engagement between Xie Yi and Pei Wendong. Madam Zhao scoffed in her heart.

Zheng Yuehan pulled Pei Yuan aside to chat, talking about the sights and interesting stories of Capital Jingcheng, "...Now the weather isn’t so hot anymore, it’s the perfect season to start traveling."

Pei Yuan already disliked the Zheng family folks, and seeing her acting so familiar, seemingly overshadowing Xie Yi as if she too were unworldly, her smile grew fainter.

When the Zheng family came to deliver clothes and supplies. Pei Yuan sent them back, "I need to go take care of my elder sister, you all have dinner in your room then!"

Seeing her sending the guests off, Zheng Yuehan quickly said, "I don’t know how the lady’s illness is, but since I’m staying here, I should naturally visit her. I took care of my grandmother when she was ill; why don’t I go with you?"

"The elder sister is not well enough to see visitors," Pei Yuan said flatly. She had repeated this several times already.

Zheng Yuehan had a moment of embarrassment but quickly smiled, summoned Xie Yi, and they left.

Once they were gone, Madam Zhao shared her suspicions with Pei Yuan, "This Zheng family probably has some unspeakable schemes!"

"Could it be? The people of the Zheng family, the elder sister would absolutely not agree to an alliance with them, and Wendong knows it too—he wouldn’t take a liking to that Zheng Yuehan!" Pei Yuan furrowed her brow.

The two exchanged glances, both thinking of the main reason Pei Wendong wanted to marry Xie Yi, which was that they had accidentally had physical contact when he saved her. If Zheng Yuehan also happened to encounter Pei Wendong and something unexpected occurred, Pei Wendong would naturally have to take responsibility and allow her entry into the house.

Pei Yuan’s expression darkened, and anger grew in her heart.

The next day when she saw Zheng Yuehan again, she had changed into an even more exquisite dress, her small face delicately painted, and was planning to go to the garden to pick flowers.

Pei Wendong and Chang Yonglin were studying exhaustively for exams, taking breaks to move around in the garden. There was also a martial arts training ground not far from the backyard, which they frequented to practice their skills.

Pei Yuan’s glance at Zheng Yuehan grew colder, "The General Mansion mostly has military officers and soldiers coming and going. Now that we are engaged in battles with the Rong Clan, there are many visitors. You should not wander around and accidentally bump into outside men."

Although Xie Yi normally didn’t wander, no one would comment if she went to the garden. Seeing her expression, she nodded in agreement.

Zheng Yuehan sensed that she was not welcomed, feeling displeased. This Pei Yuan, who was just living with her brother-in-law, was so controlling! Her eyes flitted, and she said, "If my cousin and I don’t go to the garden, we’ll be quite bored. Why don’t we take the young ladies out to play?"